U.S. patent application number 11/896895 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for four wheeled utility vehicle.
Invention is credited to Naoki Hashimoto, Hideyoshi Kosuge.
Application Number | 20080053738 11/896895 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39149955 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080053738 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kosuge; Hideyoshi ; et
al. |
March 6, 2008 |
Four wheeled utility vehicle
Abstract
A four wheeled utility vehicle includes a pair of right and left
rear wheels, a cabin arranged between the front wheels and the rear
wheels, the cabin being defined with a cabin frame and
accommodating an operational unit for the vehicle and seats for a
passenger of the vehicle, a front fender for covering the front
wheel and a front portion of the cabin frame, a protective frame
disposed from a front portion of the cabin to a rear portion of the
cabin through an upper portion of the cabin, and a front fixing
member fixed rigidly to the front portion of the cabin frame so as
to extend upward and project from the front fender through a
through hole formed in the front fender, wherein a fore lower end
of the protective frame is detachably and attachably fixed to the
front fixing member at an upper end portion of the front fixing
member.
Inventors: |
Kosuge; Hideyoshi;
(Kobe-shi, JP) ; Hashimoto; Naoki; (Kakogawa-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
2033 K STREET N. W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1021
US
|
Family ID: |
39149955 |
Appl. No.: |
11/896895 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
180/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 33/0625 20130101;
B62D 25/04 20130101; B62D 31/003 20130101; B62D 21/186
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/311 |
International
Class: |
B62D 33/06 20060101
B62D033/06; B62D 25/08 20060101 B62D025/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 6, 2006 |
JP |
2006-241295 |
Claims
1. A four wheeled utility vehicle comprising: a pair of right and
left front wheels; a pair of right and left rear wheels; a cabin
arranged between the front wheels and the rear wheels, the cabin
being defined with a cabin frame and accommodating an operational
unit for the vehicle and seats for a passenger of the vehicle; a
front fender for covering the front wheel and a front portion of
the cabin frame; a protective frame disposed from a front portion
of the cabin to a rear portion of the cabin through an upper
portion of the cabin; and a front fixing member fixed rigidly to
the front portion of the cabin frame so as to extend upward and
project from the front fender through a through hole formed in the
front fender, wherein a fore lower end of the protective frame is
detachably and attachably fixed to the front fixing member at an
upper end portion of the front fixing member.
2. The four wheeled utility vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the front fixing member has a fixing surface oriented outward in a
vehicle width direction, and further, the fore lower end of the
protective frame is fixed to the fixing surface from the outside in
the vehicle width direction.
3. The four wheeled utility vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the fore lower end of the protective frame is tightened to the
fixing surface of the front fixing member via bolts to be inserted
from the outside in the vehicle width direction.
4. The four wheeled utility vehicle as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising: a rear fixing member fixed rigidly to the rear portion
of the cabin frame so as to extend upward and project from an upper
end of a side cover for covering a side of a rear portion of the
cabin frame; wherein a rear lower end of the protective frame is
fixed to the rear fixing member at an upper end portion of the rear
fixing member.
5. The four wheeled utility vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the rear fixing member has a fixing surface oriented outward in a
vehicle width direction, and further, the rear lower end of the
protective frame is fixed to the fixing surface from the outside in
the vehicle width direction.
6. The four wheeled utility vehicle according to claim 5, wherein
the rear lower end of the protective frame is tightened to the
fixing surface of the rear fixing member via bolts to be inserted
from the outside in the vehicle width direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a four wheeled utility
vehicle, in particular, relates to a fixing structure of a
protection frame for a cabin of the vehicle.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A four wheeled utility vehicle of this type is provided with
a protective frame from a front portion of a cabin to a rear
portion of the cabin through an upper portion of the cabin in order
to protect a rider inside of the cabin.
[0005] As to a structure for fixing a protective frame of a cabin
in a four wheeled utility vehicle, U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,111
(corresponding to U.S. D. Pat. No. 439,548) discloses a fixing
structure, in which a front lower end of a protective frame is
fixed sideways to a frame member of the vehicle through a cut-out
formed in a side surface of a bonnet for covering a front portion
of a chassis. Otherwise, U.S. D. Pat. No. 342,701 discloses a
structure, in which a protective frame of a cabin extends to a
bumper disposed at a fore end of a vehicle, to be fixed to the
bumper. Alternatively, there have been conventionally known various
other structures, for example, a structure in which a fore lower
end of a protective frame of a cabin is allowed to project downward
from a through hole formed at a bonnet or a front fender, to be
fixed to a frame member of a vehicle inside of the bonnet or the
front fender, a structure in which a cabin frame defining the cabin
and the protective frame covering the cabin from above are
integrally formed in a state exposed sideways from the cabin; and
the like.
[0006] The fixing structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,111 is
restricted in the fixing position of the protective frame, thereby
making it difficult to achieve a light weight and compactness.
[0007] The fixing structure disclosed in U.S. D. Pat. No. 342,701
enlarges the protective frame which is liable to come within sight
of a driver since the protective frame extends to the bumper at the
fore end of the vehicle.
[0008] Otherwise, the fixing structure, in which the fore lower end
of the protective frame is fixed to the frame member or the like
inside of the hood or the front fender, takes labor in attaching or
detaching the protective frame. Particularly, in the case where an
engine or electrical components are contained inside of the hood, a
seal needs be interposed between the through hole formed at the
hood and the protective frame, so as to prevent rainwater from
intruding inward.
[0009] Alternatively, the structure, in which the protective frame
and the cabin frame are exposed sideways from the cabin and are
integrated with each other, makes it difficult to maintain a good
appearance, and needs a large mounting space in transporting the
four wheeled utility vehicle on a truck or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention addresses the above-described
condition, and an object of the present invention is to provide a
four wheeled utility vehicle to or from which a protective frame
for a cabin can be readily attached or detached. Another object is
to maintain a high fixing rigidity of the protective frame while
suppressing an increase in weight caused by the protective frame.
Further object is to keep a good appearance of the vehicle.
[0011] A four wheeled utility vehicle according to the present
invention comprises a pair of right and left front wheels, a pair
of right and left rear wheels, a cabin arranged between the front
wheels and the rear wheels, the cabin being defined with a cabin
frame and accommodating an operational unit for the vehicle and
seats for a passenger u a front fender for covering the front wheel
and a front portion of the cabin frame, a protective frame disposed
from a front portion of the cabin to a rear portion of the cabin
through an upper portion of the cabin, and a front fixing member
fixed rigidly to the front portion of the cabin frame so as to
extend upward and project from the front fender through a through
hole formed in the front fender, wherein a fore lower end of the
protective frame is detachably and attachably fixed to the front
fixing member at an upper end portion of the front fixing
member.
[0012] With this configuration, the fore lower end of the
protective frame is fixed to the front fixing portion of the cabin
frame, thereby maintaining a high fixing rigidity of the protective
frame. In addition, the front fixing portion projects upward from
of the front fender, and therefore, the protective frame can be
readily attached to or detached from the vehicle. Moreover, since
the protective frame can be detached from the vehicle, it becomes
possible to reduce a carrying space in a freight truck or a ship in
the case of the transportation of the four wheeled utility vehicle
by detaching the protective frame, and further, to facilitate a
loading and unloading work on or off the freight truck or the
ship.
[0013] According to the present invention, it is preferable that
the front fixing member may have a fixing surface oriented outward
in a vehicle width direction, and further, the fore lower end of
the protective frame may be fixed to the fixing surface from the
outside in the vehicle width direction.
[0014] With this configuration, it is possible to enhance the
strength of the protective frame against a load in the vehicle
width direction, and further, to facilitate the protective frame
fixing work from the outside in the vehicle width direction.
[0015] According to the present invention, it is desirable that the
fore lower end of the protective frame may be tightened to the
fixing surface of the front fixing member via bolts to be inserted
from the outside in the vehicle width direction.
[0016] With this configuration, it is possible to further
facilitate the protective frame fixing work.
[0017] According to the present invention, a fixing structure for
the protective frame at the rear lower end thereof may adopt a
similar fixing structure for the protective frame at the fore lower
end thereof in the four wheeled utility vehicle. That is to say,
the cabin frame may be provided with a rear fixing member fixed
rigidly to the rear portion of the cabin frame so as to extend
upward and project from an upper end of a side cover for covering a
side of a rear portion of the cabin frame, wherein a rear lower end
of the protective frame may be fixed to the rear fixing member at
an upper end portion of the rear fixing member. In addition, the
rear fixing member may have a fixing surface oriented outward in a
vehicle width direction, and further, the rear lower end of the
protective frame may be fixed to the fixing surface from the
outside in the vehicle width direction. Moreover, the rear lower
end of the protective frame may be tightened to the fixing surface
of the rear fixing member via bolts to be inserted from the outside
in the vehicle width direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be become more apparent from the following
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment
of a four wheeled utility vehicle according to the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the four wheeled utility
vehicle of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the four wheeled utility
vehicle of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a fixing
structure at a fore lower end of a protective frame in the four
wheeled utility vehicle of FIG. 1; and
[0023] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a fixing
structure at a rear lower end of a protective frame in the four
wheeled utility vehicle of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] FIGS. 1 to 5 show an embodiment of a four wheeled utility
vehicle according to the present invention. A preferred embodiment
according to the present invention will be explained in reference
to FIGS. 1 to 5. For the sake of the explanation below, a forward
traveling direction of a vehicle is referred to as forward of the
vehicle, and further, a lateral direction viewed from a passenger
is referred to as a lateral direction of the vehicle.
(Entire Structure of Four Wheeled Utility Vehicle)
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the four wheeled
utility vehicle. The four wheeled utility vehicle includes a pair
of right and left front wheels 1 at a front portion of the vehicle,
a pair of right and left rear wheels 2 at a rear portion of the
vehicle, a cabin 5 arranged between the front wheels 1 and the rear
wheels 2 and defined with a metallic cabin frame 4, a load carrying
platform (cargo bed) 6 behind the cabin 5, a bonnet 8 made of resin
or metal in front of the cabin 5, a pair of right and left front
fenders 9 made of resin or metal at both sides of the bonnet 8, and
a bumper 10 in front of the bonnet 8. Each of the front fenders 9
is molded integrally with the bonnet 8, for covering the upper and
rear portions of each of the front wheels 1, and is formed into a
substantially inverted L shape in side view.
[0026] An upper portion of the cabin 5 is surrounded by a
protective frame 3 made of a metallic pipe. The protective frame 3
is constituted of a pair of right and left side frame members 3a, a
pair of front and rear upper connecting members 3b for connecting
the upper ends of the right and left side frame members 3a to each
other, and rear connecting members 3c for connecting the respective
rear portions of the right and left side frame members 3a to each
other in an X-shaped manner. The upper rear connecting members 3c
is provided with a pair of right and left head rests 14. A front
upper portion of the right side frame member 3a is provided with a
grip 19 to be griped by an assistant rider.
[0027] Inside of the cabin 5, a driver's seat 15 is installed on
the left side while a assistant driver's seat 16 is installed on
the right side, a dash board (an operational unit) 17 is arranged
at the front portion, and a steering wheel 18 is provided on left
side of the dash board 17. An engine room 21 is formed under the
seats 15 and 16, and right and left sides of the engine room 21 are
covered with side covers 22, respectively. Moreover, U-shaped
guards 20 for guarding the passengers are provided onto a left side
of the driver's seat 15 and onto a right side of the assistant
driver's seat 16, respectively.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the four wheeled utility
vehicle of FIG. 1. The cabin frame 4 is constituted of a lower
cabin frame 4a located substantially horizontally at a lower end of
the cabin 5, a front cabin frame 4b which is raised upward from a
fore end of the lower cabin frame 4a in a forward inclined manner,
and then, extends upward behind the front wheel 1, and a rear cabin
frame 4c which is raised upward from a rear end of the lower cabin
frame 4a in a rearward inclined manner, and then, extends upward
toward a back side of the seat 15 and 16.
[0029] The lower cabin frame 4a is formed into a substantially
rectangular shape in a plan view.
[0030] The front cabin frame 4b includes a pair of right and left
vertical frame members, which are raised upward from the right and
left fore ends of the lower cabin frame 4a, and a lateral frame
member for connecting the upper ends of the pair of right and left
vertical frame members to each other. The front cabin frame 4b is
formed into a substantially rectangular shape in the front view.
The right and left vertical frame members of the front cabin frame
4b are accommodated in the right and left front fenders 9,
respectively. Right and left corners of the upper end of the front
cabin frame 4b are positioned substantially in the vicinity of rear
upper ends inside of the right and left front fenders 9,
respectively.
[0031] The rear cabin frame 4c includes a pair of right and left
vertical frame members, which are raised upward from the right and
left rear ends of the lower cabin frame 4a, and a lateral frame
member for connecting the upper ends of the pair of right and left
vertical frame members to each other. The rear cabin frame 4c is
formed into a substantially rectangular shape in a rear view. The
right and left vertical frame members of the rear cabin frame 4c
are covered with the side covers 22, respectively.
[0032] Right and left front fixing members 25 for fixing front end
portions of the protective frame 3 are provided onto right and left
corners at the upper end of the front cabin frame 4b, respectively.
Each of the front fixing members 25 extends upward in a rearward
inclined manner, and then, projects upward from the front fender 9
through the rear upper end portion of the front fender 9.
[0033] Right and left rear fixing members 26 for fixing rear end
portions of the protective frame 3 are provided on the right and
left corners at the upper end of the rear cabin frame 4c,
respectively. Each of the rear fixing members 26 extends upward in
a rearward inclined manner, and then, projects upward from an upper
end of the side cover 22.
[0034] The side frame member 3a of the protective frame 3 is formed
into a substantially trapezoidal shape in a side view. The side
frame member 3a extends upward from the front fixing member 25 in a
rearward inclined manner, and further, extends substantially
horizontally rearward at the upper portion of the cabin 5.
Moreover, the side frame member 3a extends substantially vertically
downward from the rear upper portion of the cabin 5 to the rear
fixing member 26.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the four wheeled utility
vehicle of FIG. 1. Circular through holes 29 are formed in the rear
upper ends of the right and left front fenders 9, respectively. The
front fixing members 25 project upward from the front fender 9
through the through holes 29.
[Fixing Structure for Protective Frame]
[0036] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a fixing
portion at a fore lower end 30 of the right side frame member 3a,
as viewed from back above. In FIG. 4, right corner fitting 28 is
securely welled to the right corner of the upper end of the front
cabin frame 4b. Moreover, the right front fixing member 25 is
securely welded to the corner fitting 28.
[0037] The right front fixing member 25 projecting upward from the
through hole 29 is formed into a semi-split columnar shape by
cutting off a right half in a flat manner, thereby forming a flat
fixing surface 25a oriented outward (i.e., rightward) in a vehicle
width direction. In the meantime, the fore lower end 30 of the
right side frame member 3a is formed into a thick plate by cutting
off a left half and cutting off a right end in a flat manner.
[0038] The fore lower end 30 formed into the thick plate in the
right side frame member 3a overlaps the flat fixing surface 25a of
the right front fixing member 25 from the outside (i.e., from the
right) in the vehicle width direction, and then, a pair of upper
and lower bolts 32 are inserted into the fore lower end 30 of the
side frame member 3a from the outside i.e., from the right) in the
vehicle width direction, to be thus screwed to the front fixing
member 25, so that the fore lower end 30 of the right side frame
member 3a is tightened to the right front fixing portion 25.
[0039] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a fixing
portion at a rear lower end 31 of the right side frame member 3a,
as viewed from front above. In FIG. 5, the right rear fixing member
26 fixed rigidly to the cabin frame 4 and projecting upward from
the upper end of the side cover 22 is formed into a semi-split
columnar shape by cutting off a right half, thereby forming a flat
fixing surface 26a oriented outward (i.e., rightward) in the
vehicle width direction. In the meantime, the rear lower end 31 of
the right side frame member 3a is formed into a substantially thick
plate by cutting off a left half and cutting off a right end in a
flat manner.
[0040] The rear lower end 31 formed into the thick plate in the
right side frame member 3a overlaps the flat fixing surface 26a of
the right rear fixing member 26 from the outside (i.e., from the
right) in the vehicle width direction, and then, a pair of upper
and lower bolts 33 are inserted into the rear lower end 31 of the
side frame member 3a from the outside (i.e., from the right) in the
vehicle width direction, to be thus screwed to the rear fixing
portion 26, so that the rear lower end 31 of the right side frame
member 3a is tightened to the right rear fixing portion 26.
[0041] In addition, in FIG. 3, the fixing structure for the fore
lower end 30 and the rear lower end 31 of the left side frame
member 3a is laterally symmetric to the fixing structure in the
above-described right side frame member 3a. Therefore, a detailed
description will not be given here.
[Functions and Effects of the Preferred Embodiment]
[0042] (1) When the four wheeled utility vehicle is transported on
a truck or a ship, the protective frame 3 is detached from the four
wheeled vehicle. As a consequence, it is possible to reduce a
carrying space and a transportation fee, and facilitate a loading
and unloading work.
[0043] (2) Since the front fixing portion 25 projects upward from
the front fender 9 and the rear fixing portion 26 projects upward
from the upper end of the side cover 22, the protective frame 3 can
be readily attached to or detached from the four wheeled vehicle
without any interfere by the front fender 9 and the side cover
22.
[0044] (3) The fore lower end 30 and the rear lower end 31 of the
protective frame 3 are fixed to the front fixing member 25 and the
rear fixing member 26 fixed rigidly to the cabin frame 4, thus
maintaining the high fixing rigidity of the protective frame 3.
[0045] (4) The respective fixing surfaces 25a and 26a of the front
fixing member 25 and the rear fixing member 26 are formed outward
in the vehicle width direction, and further, the fore lower end 30
and the rear lower end 31 of the protective frame 3 overlap the
fixing surfaces 25a and 26a from the outside in the vehicle width
direction, respectively. Thus, it is possible to enhance the
strength of the protective frame 3 against the load in the vehicle
width direction. Additionally, the fore lower end 30 and the rear
lower end 31 of the protective frame 3 are tightened via the bolts
32 and 33 inserted from the outside in the vehicle width direction,
respectively, thereby facilitating the fixing work of the
protective frame 3 from the outside in the vehicle width
direction.
[0046] (5) Since the front fender 9 is only provided with the
through hole 29 into which the front fixing member 25 is inserted
for fixing the protective frame 3 to the cabin frame 4, a die
molding work of the front fender 9 is not complexified. In
addition, even if rainwater or the like flows downward along the
protective frame 3, the rainwater flows out on the ground through
the front fender 9, thereby making it unnecessary to interpose any
seal device or the like between the through hole 29 and the front
fixing member 25. In other words, the number of component parts
cannot be increased due to the formation of the through hole
29.
Other Preferred Embodiments
[0047] (1) The fixing surface 25a of the front fixing member 25 and
the fixing surface 26a of the rear fixing member 26 need not always
be formed outward in the vehicle width direction, and
alternatively, they may be formed forward or rearward of the fixing
members.
[0048] (2) Although in the above-described preferred embodiment,
the fore lower end 30 and the rear lower end 31 of the protective
frame 3 are tightened via the bolts 32 and 33, the present
invention is not limited to the above-described fixing structure.
For example, the fore lower end 30 and the rear lower end 31 may be
fitted to the front fixing member 25 and the rear fixing portion
26, respectively, and then, may be prevented from being slipped off
by the effect of stopper pins.
[0049] (3) The present invention is not limited to the
above-described preferred embodiments, and therefore, encompasses
various modifications within the scope without departing from the
subject matter of claims.
* * * * *